When Sinking, Call on the Lord

We all have moments of feeling “down,” times of discouragement, depression,  loss, fear, anxiety, (fill in the blank). Such “moods” can descend unexpectedly  or result from a particular event. They can pass quickly or stay longer. The three  main characters in today’s scriptures are having such a moment. 

After Elijah had his showdown with the prophets of Baal in Israel and led the  Israelites in slaughtering them, word came that Jezebel wanted him killed, so  he set out into the desert. There, he sat down and said to God, “Enough! Life is  unbearable. Let me die.” But God wasn’t finished with Elijah, and sent an angel  with some food and drink and told him to walk “forty days” to Mount Horeb  (Sinai). There, God appeared. 

Paul would go first into the synagogues to preach about Jesus as Israel’s long awaited Messiah. But the response was not overwhelming. Often he was run out  of town, beaten, or tossed into jail. We hear his grief today. Still, he trusts God  will work it out, and later proclaims, “God has not rejected his people . . . For the  gifts and call of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:2, 29). 

Perhaps Peter is the most instructive for our “sinking” occasions. He was doing  fine until he lost focus. As long as he looked to Jesus, he walked on water. When  he focused on the wind and the waves, he sank. When he re-focused on Jesus  and cried out for help, Jesus’ hand caught him. There seems to be a lesson here. 

Consider/Discuss

• What gets you “down”? 
• Do you cry out to the Lord and ask for help? 

Responding to the Word

Today’s responsorial psalm assures us that “Near indeed is his salvation to  those who fear him” and “The Lord himself will give his benefits.” In those times  when the waves of chaos threaten to overwhelm us, we can pray: “Lord, let us see  your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”